HAM & BROCCOLI BAKE

Plan ahead and start this satisfying and comforting casserole the night before you bake it. Best of all, the hearty entree is also an inexpensive dish to add to your family meal plan.

—Harmony Tardugno, Vernon Center, NY

Prep: 15 min. + chilling • Bake: 35 min. • Makes: 8 servings

• 1 loaf (8 oz.) day-old French bread, cubed
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
• 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups 2% milk
• ¼ tsp. pepper

1. Toss bread cubes with butter. Place half in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with half of the cheese and broccoli; sprinkle with ham. Layer with remaining broccoli, cheese and bread cubes.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and pepper. Pour over casserole. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

3. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

1 piece: 422 cal., 27g fat (16g sat. fat), 191mg chol., 951mg sod., 23g carb. (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g pro.